Best Christmas Of My Life!
Oh man. I can really get used to these Gilbert-Troyer Christmases. On Christmas Eve we all gathered at the Gilbert's house for yummy El Pollo Loco dinner, homemade salt and pepper popcorn (my contribution), opening gifts and watching an old classic, White Christmas (long but really good). It was a nice ending to a long day of baking, cleaning, errands and shopping. I was so stressed out I freaked out a little. But then I calmed down, walked in and had the most amazing time. Honestly, I don't know why I freaked out...I was stressed about the time, but I was enjoying the day, working hard and getting a lot done. I truly enjoyed a day feelings pretty good.
Then Christmas morning came. Greg, Brad and Kevin all went for their 2nd Annual Christmas Morning Bike Ride. While they were gone Cathy and I made big brunch of potatoes, scrambled eggs, homemade buttermilk biscuits and apple slices. After brunch the Gilberts went home to nap and get ready for the dinner...then my parents arrived (late, weird that they were both so late). They enjoyed some late breakfast, then we chatted and played a couple rounds of Settlers of Catan. It was so fun! Just when we were getting too hungry it was time to head back over to the Gilberts for Christmas dinner and spending time with more family. I had a great time. We played so many games of Uno, enjoyed an extra yummy dinner, some laughs and time with the family. I hope one day my brother and his wife can join us. It was like the Gilbert and Troyer family is one big family. It makes me very happy.
In addition to having some great holidays, I got to chat with my brother on the phone and catch up. He doesn't like to talk much, so you should know that is a real treat! Also, I'm so grateful that the medicine has been working because it's been so amazing to just feel so much better. I'm well on my way to recovery. I signed up for new insurance with Kaiser Permanante because Obamacare is causing my MSI to end. I have to pay more than we can afford for this insurance, but on the very high upside, I will get to see the Allergist for the allergy tests and the shots to clear up my allergy issues and desensitize. So, I should be feeling better long term and be ready to get all of my life back. I can't wait to surprise Kevin with a whole week of feeling great...I will be able to cook and clean for him, enjoy activities after he's done with work, finish school, focus and have fun and not have so many crabby moments from the frustration of forgetting, or even being in pain. I did take a bunch of excedrin last night before dinner...but I would still count it as two good days in a row and I'll take it! So good.
I signed up for school. I start in February. I am very excited. Since I have been feeling better and this is going in a generally positive direction Kevin and I have come up with a plan to ease back into a full blown life. First, start small. We are going on a roadtrip. It's planned so we can do a lot or a little depending upon how I feel. I'm hoping I feel great and we can do a lot. Second, I will go back to school in February and will be completely in October (if all goes perfectly). This will require more responsibility and reliability since I have to attend classes and meet in groups for each class. If it keeps going well, then the next step is working. I was considering working from home part time at first to test the waters, then move into full time. I'm concerned when I return to work I will fail and be sick and get fired. If the allergist and the shots work, then working outside of the home should be ok. I may need to consider another career field. I loved teaching and am excited to return, but between having a boss who is flatout mean and an unhealthy, dirty working environment I just don't know if I can take it mentally or physically. This is something that I'm going to have to work on. I want to work on standing up for myself. I don't want to be mean or rude, but I want to set boundaries for people so they respect me but don't abuse me. This is something I need to focus on.
Before I wrap this up for the day, I would like to add that I've not thought this clearly in so long. I am starting to notice when I'm having reactions and I think I may soon be able to narrow down what to avoid. At least I can figure it out sooner and remove myself from the situation.
I would say, if how I was before I got sick was 100% that I got down to about a 30% trying not to die (that's how it felt). I hovered around that 30% for a very long time and after this past month of allergy medicine and migraine medicine, I would say I would rate myself at about a 50%. This is a huge improvement. I'm so excited that I want to celebrate every day possible by cooking, cleaning, driving, talking, walking, laughing and living. I love it!!
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